Eckbos Legat

Eckbos Legat is a Norwegian private non-profit foundation (allmennyttig stiftelse) established by Major and lawyer Eivind Eckbo, who founded the first of what would become eleven separate legacies in 1923. Over time these legacies were consolidated, and in 2013 they were merged into a single foundation that today makes annual grants to individuals and to various projects falling within its stated purposes. The foundation is headquartered in Oslo and operates nationally across Norway. The foundation's grant-making covers a broad range of charitable and societal purposes. According to its official website, these include social and humanitarian work; public health, healthy diet and nutrition; medical research; sports, outdoor life and physical fitness; work for the country's defence, military sports and association activities; natural and sustainable agriculture in Norway together with related research; Norwegian rural, coastal and maritime culture; Norwegian art and culture, cultural life and cultural heritage; and Christian art and culture, association work and activity. The board sets priorities both overall and within each individual purpose area. Eckbos Legat manages a substantial endowment. According to Norwegian Wikipedia, the foundation administers assets of around 1.5 billion Norwegian kroner. It distributes support annually, with application deadlines and processing handled through a dedicated application portal. The foundation also maintains a 'Min side' (My Page) function where applicants can read their applications, submit and follow up on inquiries, and report on received support. Governance of the foundation is provided by a board. In June 2026, long-serving chair Richard Arnesen stepped down and was succeeded as chair by Espen Amundsen, alongside a new board. The foundation has also engaged in public-facing initiatives, including environmental advocacy such as the 'Redd Oslofjorden' (Save the Oslofjord) campaign. As a private non-profit foundation, Eckbos Legat is not listed on any stock exchange and has no commercial ownership structure; it exists solely to fulfil its charitable purposes.

Eckbos Legat traces its origins to 1923, when Major and lawyer Eivind Eckbo established the first of what would eventually become eleven separate legacies. These legacies were created with different purposes, reflecting a broad philanthropic vision. Over the decades, the legacies operated as distinct entities, each with its own mandate and assets. In 2013, the eleven legacies were merged into a single foundation, Eckbos Legat (formerly known as Eckbos Legater), which today administers a unified endowment and makes annual grants to individuals and projects within its stated purposes. The foundation is headquartered in Oslo and operates nationally across Norway. According to Norwegian Wikipedia, it manages assets of around 1.5 billion Norwegian kroner. Governance is provided by a board; in June 2026, long-serving chair Richard Arnesen stepped down and was succeeded by Espen Amundsen, alongside a new board. The foundation has also engaged in public initiatives such as the 'Redd Oslofjorden' environmental campaign. Its grant-making covers social and humanitarian work, public health and nutrition, medical research, sports and outdoor life, defence-related activities, sustainable agriculture, Norwegian rural and maritime culture, Norwegian art and culture, and Christian art and culture.

• 2026

  New application portal opens; deadline for livelihood support extended to 29 September 2026.

• 2026

  Richard Arnesen steps down as chair; Espen Amundsen becomes new chair in June.

• 2013

  The eleven legacies are merged into a single foundation, Eckbos Legat.

• 1923

  Major and lawyer Eivind Eckbo establishes the first of eleven legacies.

A private Norwegian non-profit foundation managing a large endowment to fund charitable, cultural, medical, and environmental causes.

1. 1Eckbos Legat official websiteeckbos-legat.no
2. 2Eckbos Legat on Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Eckbos Legat on Norwegian Wikipediano.wikipedia.org